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Agence France-Presse

Australian Defence Minister David Johnston has backed comments by his United States counterpart Chuck Hagel accusing China of “destabilising” actions in the South China Sea.
Speaking in Singapore on Saturday, Hagel accused China of a number of alleged infractions, including against the Philippines and Vietnam, the two most vocal critics of Beijing’s territorial claims.
“In recent months, China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea,” the US Secretary of Defence told the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
In opening the forum, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged countries to respect the rule of law, in apparent reference to perceived Chinese aggression in the South and East China seas.
Video: US accuses China of 'destabilising' acts in South China Sea

Johnston told the Sydney Morning Herald, in an interview from Singapore published on Monday, that he supported their view.
“The US, Australia and Japan are very concerned that unilateral action is destabilising the region of the South China Sea particularly, and the East China Sea.”
Asked whether he supported Hagel’s comments, the Australian minister said: “I do to the extent that it is destabilisation… in a previously very successful region that has been able to deliver enormous amounts of prosperity to countries in the Asia-Pacific.
“This instability is unwarranted and quite damaging to the future economic prospects. So I do share Secretary Hagel’s concerns.”
Johnston said that Australia did not take sides in territorial disputes between China and other countries, but said Canberra would attempt to persuade the Asian superpower there was “another path”.
His office confirmed the remarks were correct.
China has denounced Hagel’s “provocative” comments along with those of Abe.


Australian Defence Minister backs US counterpart in criticism of Beijing

Australian Defence Minister David Johnston has backed US comments accusing China of “destabilising” actions in the South China Sea. Photo: AP

Tensions run high at security forum as Chinese official criticises US, Japan

Wang Guanzhong, PLA deputy chief of general staff, said China only responded to conflicts over sovereignty disputes and was never the instigator. Photo: EPA

Wang Guanzhong, PLA deputy chief of general staff, said China only responded to conflicts over sovereignty disputes and was never the instigator.

US's Hagel backs Japan and tells China to stop 'destabilising actions'

Chuck Hagel shakes hands with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts Kim Kwan-jin and Itsunori Onodera. Photo: Reuters

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel bluntly warned China to halt destabilising actions in support of territorial claims. Photo: Reuters

China's former deputy foreign minister Fu Ying said Shinzo Abe’s government is using the islands dispute as an excuse to revive its military. Photo: Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo would offer its "utmost support" to Southeast Asian countries in their efforts to protect their seas and airspace. Photo: AP

A Chinese ship fires a water cannon at a Vietnamese vessel in the South China Sea. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and  Vietnam have complained of Beijing's aggression in disputed areas. Photo: AP

News

Asia

Australian Defence Minister David Johnston backs comments by US counterpart Chuck Hagel accusing China of “destabilising” actions in the South China Sea.
